Inclination indicating instrument



Aug. 16, 1949.

Filed OCT.. 25, 1946 F. LENZEN ETAL INGLINATION INDI CAT ING INS TRUMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 vwwwbow Frederick Lenzen* Jam? Gordon Jackor! Aug. 16, 1949. F. LENZEN ET Ax. 2,479,377

INCLINATION INDICATING INSTRUMENT Filed Oct. 25, 1946 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 16, 1949. F. LENzEN ETAL 2,479,377

INGLINATION INDICATING INSTRUMENT Filed 0st. 25, 194e 4 sheets-sheet s hwwwbo/m/ Frederick Langen JoYm Gordon Jockon Aug. 16, 1949. F. LENzEN ETAL INCLINATION INDICATING INSTRUMENT 4 Shasta-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 25, '1946 @maw wQ/Yvfm Freder-ck Lenzen John Gordon Jqckmz M jd i ida/.46

A@ GQ Patented Aug. 16, 1949 INCLINATION INDICATING INSTRUMENT Frederickv Lenzen and John Gordon Jackson, Denver, Colo., assignors tp Eastman Oil Well Survey Company, Denyer, Cola., a corporation.

of Delaware Application October 2-5, 1946, Serial No. 705,606-

(Cl. 33e-205.51

1 15 Claims 'I his invention relates to new and useful improvements in inclination indicating instruments.

The invention relates specically to deviation4 or drift indicators which are used in the surveying of well bores and which are generally referred to as mechanical type drift indicators as distinguished from a photographic type of instru,- ment. The invention may be termed to be an improvement on the inclination indicating instrument shown in the patents to Opocensky, No. 2,334,950, issued November 23, 1943, and Wiley, No. 2,305,944, issued December 22, 1942.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved instrument which may be lowered into the wel] bore and which will accurately indicate and record the deviation or drift of said bore from the vertical, whereby the angular disposition of the bore either during drilling or subsequent thereto, may be determined.

An important object of the inventiony is to provide an improved inclination indicator, wherein the record is made by a mechanical marking means and also wherein the marking means is actuated more than once during each cycle of operation so that any movement of either the instrument or the inclination indicator thereof during the recording operation will be visibly indicated by the fact that the plurality of marks made during each cycle will not be superimposed one upon the other as they would be if all, parts are stationary at the time that the record is marked.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an instrument including a plumb bob having a marking element and also including a record member normally spaced from said element, to-` gether with improved and Simplified actuating means for imparting a reciprocating movement to the recordmember to engage said member with the element to mark the disl; and therebl7 record the position of the plumb bob with respect to the center of the element; said actuating means being operated at two distinct times with a" predetermined interval therebetween, whereby a double marking of the record member is ei- Eected.

A further object of the invention is toY provide an improved instrument the character der,V scribed, wherein the movable record member is loclged against any accidental or unintentional movement prior to the time of operation and also subsequent to such operation so that any danger oi the instrument being accidentally ope erated obviated.

Still another object of the invention is to pro,-

vide als improved, inclination indicating instrument ci?, the character described wherein` the.

movable record member is normally operatively connected to thetme controlled actuating mech,-` anism and is arranged to be disconnected from. said machanism and locked against any possible movement, during the, time that said actuating, mechanism is being reset after having been op erated.

A further object ot the invention is to provide a device of the character described wherein the various movable elements of the actuating mechanism are constructed to prevent any dangeroi their binding or becoming jammed during re, setting thereof, whereby the possibility of dam-lk age tc. the timing mechanism during the reset. ting operation is obviated.

The construction. designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understoOd from a reading of the followingspeciilcation and by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, of an inclination indicating instrument constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2` is an enlarged, transverse, vertical. sec,- tional view taken on the line 2 of Figure l and showing the operating mechanism, the. de,- tails of? the usual timing mechanism being omitted,

Figure 3 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-73 of Figure 2,

Eigure d is` an isometric View of the operating and timing.. assembly. with. the same removed trom the instrument casing or housing,

Figure 5 is a similar view of the Side opposite that Sheva is Enna 4.

6 to 10 are schmatic views of the op: casting mechanism for theA index or record member, said, views illustrating the various positions 0f Said mechanism, during actuation thercoi,

Figure. i1 is a schematic View 0f the Operating mechanism showing the position of the parte during the, reettns thereof.

Figure 1,2 is an, explpded View 0f the various Parts 0i the actuating mechanism. together with` supporting, plates., on which these members are mounted.

Figure ,1,3A is, anl elevation ci the inner face ci the actuating can arid.

Figure 14 is a, transverse sectional view, taken on the line Ill- I4 of Figure 13.

In the drawings, the numeral II) designates an elongate tubular casing which is preferably constructed of two main sections II and I2 which are connected to each other by means of a coupling collar or block I3. The upper section II formed with an internal annular flange I4 which is located at its upper portion and the extreme upper end of the section is closed by a suitable plug or cap I 5. A plumb bob I 6 is mounted within the upper section and is provided with an upwardly extending stem I1, the upper end of which is pivotally mounted by means of a Cardan suspension I8 which is supported upon the internal shoulder I4. As is well known, a Cardan suspension permits a universal movement of the element supported thereby and thus the plumb bob I6 is maintained in a vertical position, regardless of the inclination of the casing IIJ.

The plumb bob may be of any desired construction but it is preferable that it be formed with a depressible marking element or stylus I9 which projects from the lower end thereof. The marking element is normally maintained in a lowered position by means of a coil spring 2B which is confined within an axial bore 2| formed in the plumb bob. Although not essential, it is desirable that the marking element or stylus I9 be rotated as it is depressed and to effect such rotation, the stylus is formed with a lug 22 which engages or rides within a helical groove 23 provided in a sleeve 24 which is mounted within the bore 2I of the plumb bob. When the marking element or stylus is depressed, that is, moved upwardly within the bore of the plumb bob, the co-action between the lug 22 and the helical groove imparts a rotation to the marking element.

The plumb bob i6 overlies the record member or disk 25 which is constructed of a coated paper or other suitable material and which is mounted within the recessed upper end of a circular carrier or support 26. The support or carrier 26 is slidable axially within the bore I3a of the coupling collar I3 and said collar has a bottom |31) which extends transversely across the casing and which forms a stop for limiting the downward movement of the carrier or support. Normally, the carrier is in the position shown in Figure 1 with the record disk 25 spaced from the lower pointed end of the marking element or stylus I9. When the carrier 2B is moved upwardly, the record disk 25 is moved into engagement with the stylus or marking element and serves to depress the stylus under tension of the coil spring 20. Such depression of the stylus causes a rotation thereof, whereby the pointed end of said stylus forms a dot or mark on the record disk 25. Such mark is representative of the inclination of the casing Il! from the vertical for obviously the marking stylus will form said mark in accordance with its position relative to the casing. Thus, the position of the mark with respect to the center of the record disk 25 will indicate the number of degrees oi inclination from the vertical of the casing II).

For imparting an axial reciprocation to the support or carrier 26 so as to move the record disk 25 into engagement with the marking stylus I9, an operating mechanism is mounted within the lower section I2 of the casing I0. This section also houses a timing or clock mechanism T (Figure 2) which is of the usual construction. The operating mechanism which will be hereinafter described, includes an operating rod 21 which rod is suitably secured to or made integral with the lower end of the disk carrier 25. As is clearly shown in Figure 2, the rod 21 extends downwardly through a slot or opening 28 which is formed in the bottom l3b of the coupling I3, whereby the extreme lower end of the rod 21 depends into the upper portion of the lower section I2 of the casing. The lower end of this rod is adapted to be connected with the operating mechanism and through such operating mechanism is adapted to be reciprocated, whereby the carrier 25 is moved upwardly into engagement with the marking stylus.

The arrangement is such that the operating mechanism is controlled in its actuation by the timing mechanism T. The timing mechanism is set so that a predetermined time will elapse before operation will occur and thus, a suiiicient time is allowed to permit lowering of the device into a well bore to the desired position therein. When the operating mechanism is actuated, the carrier or support is moved upwardly so as to engage the record disk with the marking stylus and form a mark or dot on said record disk, which mark is representative of the number of degrees of inclination of the casing. After engagement with the marking stylus, the support or carrier is again returned to its lowered position, as shown in Figure 1. A predetermined time is then permitted to elapse, this period being relatively short, after which the operating mechanism again raises the support into engagement with the marking stylus to form a second mark on the record disk 25. If the plumb bob is at rest upon the first upward movement of the carrier or support 26 and remains at rest during the period of time between the two operations of the carrier, then the second mark will be superimposed upon the first mark so that only a single indication is had. However, if the plumb bob is not at rest during the time elapsed between the two marking operations. then two separate indications will be produced. Thus, the operator can immediately determine whether or not the plumb bob was immovable during the recording and therefore, an accurate indication is secured.

As has been stated, the operating mechanism for imparting reciprocation to the carrier or support 25, as Well as the timing or clock mechanism is mounted in the lower section I2 of the casing. The clock mechanism includes a body portion 29 which has the coupling element I3 preferably made integral with its upper end. The body is recessed to form a cavity for receiving the various gear trains (not shown) of the clock mechanism and this recessing of the body forms vertical standards or supports 30 at each side of said body, said supports being connected together by an integral rear wall 3| (Figure 2). The front wall of the body 29 of the clock mechanism is closed by plates 32, 33 and 34 (Figure 4) which are suitably attached to the vertical side standard 30 by screws. A window 35 is formed in the plate 34 and is covered by a suitable lens 36. An indicating dial 31 which is attached to the resetting gear 38 of the clock mechanism has a portion thereof visible through the lens 36 and window 35. The resetting gear 3B is xed on the main shaft 39 of the clock mechanism and is adapted to be connected with the drive gear 49 of said clock mechanism by clutch plates 49a, such connection being made in the usual manner. The main spring 42 of the clock mechanism surrounds the drive shaft 39 and is adapted to drive the gear 40 and shaft 39. Of course, the timing gears which are mountlowe portion of the locking bar overlies the timing cam. The upper end of the bar is movable.

within a slot`62c in the plate 63 and its'lower end is movable within a groove 62d also within said plate. The bottom edge 12a. of the extension 12 o'f said locking bar rides upon the periphery of the timing cam VWhile the extreme upper end of the locking bar is adapted to move into close proximity with the periphery of the actuating cam. The bottom 12a of the extension 12 is held in constant engagement with the periphery of the timing cam 4I by a spring 12b which engages within a notch 12d in the locking bar and which is disposed within an angular recess 62e in the plate G3. The periphery of the actuating cam is formed with Aa radial offset or shoulder 14 and whenthe locking bar hasits extension riding onithe periphery of the timing cam 4|, the upper end of thelocking bar is disposed in the path of tl shoulder 14. This position of the parts is illustrated in Figure 6 and this may be termed the starting position.

The timing cam rotates in a clockwise direction andi is formed with a notch or recess 11 in its peripheral portion. A shoulder or step 18 is provided in the notch 11 and as the timing cam rot'ates, the stepped portion of the notch is finally moved beneath the'extension 12 of the locking bar. The locking bar drops into the notch engaging the step 18, as shown in Figure '7, thereby lowering theL upper end of the 'locking bar and moving said bar out of the path oi the shoulder 14 formed on the periphery oi the cam. This permits the main spring 69 to impart a counterclockwise rotation to the actuating cam Bi and this movement continues until a second shoulder 19 on the cam 8i', which projects a further disstance radially than the shoulder 14, engages the upper end of the locking bar 1l and again halts rot'ation o1 the cam 6i. This initial rotation oi the cam is suincient to permit the pin 65 of the actuating bar Ell to travel through the first section A of the cam groove 64, whereby a reciprocation is imparted to the actuating bar and through the connecting member 55 and rod 21 to the carrier 26. 'This results in the record disk 25 engaging the stylus to mark the disk.

The parts remain in the position shown in Figure 8 until the timing cam 4I rotates further to move the notch 11 beneath the extension 12 of the locking bar (Figure 9). When this occurs, the locking bar is again further lowered to cause its upper end to move out of the path of the shoulder 19 on the cam 6I so that said cam is again released for further rotation. This counterclockwise rotation of the cam BI continues Vuntil the pin 65 'of the actuating bar has traversed the section B of the cam groove B4 at which time a third offset or stop shoulder 19a on the cam engages the upper end of the locking bar, said stop shoulder projecting outwardly a further radial vdistance than the shoulder 19 (Figure Thus, further rotation of said cam is halted. During the time that the pin 65 o1 the actuating bar traversed the section B of the cam groove 64, the record carrier was again re ciprocated to again mark the record disk by'its engagement with the stylus. Thus, during one revolution of the cam 6I, the record carrier and its disk is reciprocated twice and if both mark ings are superimposed one above the other, it is evident that the plumb 4bob and its marking element did not move in the interim. If the plumb bob was moving or swinging between the two 'marking operations. two separate marks would appear onthe record disk and thus the double marking arrangement assures that the operator will know thatfn accurate recordV was made.

Afteractuation of the disk to perform the double marking, it is necessary to reset the mechanism and' for Vthis purpose an elongate resetting bar 811|YV is provided. The bar is slidably mounted within the longitudinal groove 52 oi the plate 50' (Figure 12) and said bar has a gear rack 8i formed on one longitudinal edge thereof. The teeth of the gear rack are adapted to engage .the teeth of the resetting gear 66 which is disposed within the circular recess 65 of the actuating cam 61 and obviously when the gear rack is moved upwardly within the groove 52, a clockwise rotation (Figures 6 to 10) is imparted to the gear. The lug 61 which is connected in this gear engages the pin 68 Within the recess of the cam and transmits this clockwise rotation to said cam. Therefore, when the resetting bar is rnoved' upwardly within its groove 52, a clockwise rotation of the actuating camV is eiiected to return the cam to its originaistarting position as Shown in Figure 6. After resetting oi the cam, the bar 80 may be returned to its lowered position with the gear 66 rotating in a clockwise direction (Figure 6) Without imparting any rotation to the cam because obviously the lug 61 of said gear moyes away from the pin 68 of the cam.

At the time that the parts are in a position ready to be reset, as shown in Figure l0, the locking bar 'H is in a lowered position engaging the notch 11 of the timing cam. -In order to assure disengagement of this' locking bar from the notch, the resetting bar 80 is formed with an inwardly directed lug 82. This lug is so positioned that after a suilcient clockwise rotation of the actuating disk 6i has occurred to move the shoulder 14 on said cam to the position shown in Figure 6, the lug 82 engages an outwardly' extending pin 12e which projects outwardly from the extension 12 of the locking bar. This engagement of the lug 82 with the pin 12 lifts the locking bar out of the notch 11 of thetiming cam, whereby said timing cam may be subsequently reset, as will be explained, and also whereby the upper end of the locking bar is again 'moved into the pathV of the shoulder 14. y

it is desirable that the recordV carrier Y2s be locked against any movement duringthe'resetting operation and for this purpose the upper-'end of the resetting bar B0 is formed with a laterally projecting pin 83 which engages an inclined offset cam slot 84 provided Vin the connecting member 55. The dispositionof the cam slotis such that when the resetting bar is in its lowered position (Figures 6 to 10) the pin 83 bears against the slot to urge and hold the pivoted connected member in a position with its recess 58 engaging the connecting pin 59 of the actuating bar Bil. Upon initial upward movement of the resetting bar su. the pin sa wasting with inseam slotA sd swings the connecting member 55Y tothe position shown in Figure 1l, whereby a recess B5 .on the opposite longitudinal edge oi lthe .connecting member Vengages a locking pin 8E which is secured to the plate 5U. Thus, upon initial upward movement of the resetting bar-the connectingv member is first disconnected from the actuating bar and is locked against thello'eking pin 8G, whereby the connecting member Eil; and the record carrier 26 secured theretoV cannot move upwardly during the resetting of the device. Continued upward ard U fis 1i ma com moschee ma wenn is: ine cam 'groove El. Such movement of pl through this groove resulta in, a reciprocaton of therecord carrier so that. the disk, carrll thereby is engaged with the marking element or.V stylus iStomarksiddisk.

The timmg mechanism continues torun so as to move the notch 11 below the locking bar and whenthisoccuraeaidlockingbarisfurther lowered so that its upper end moves 'out of the path of the second shoulder IB of the actuating cani, this position being shown in Figure 9. Immediatelyupon this further lowering oiithe locking bar. th'e actuating cam is againreleasedior iurther'counterclockwise rotation so that the pin 65 ofthe actuating bar will traverse the second section B of the cam groove resulting in a send reciprocation oi' the record carrier and disktoformasecondmarkonsaiddisk. Ifthe plumb bob and marking siglas remain immov able as they should between the two marking operations.V the 'marks formed' thereon .will 'be superimposed one upon the other so that suhetantiaiiy only a single mark will'appearon the disk. If there was anymovement ot the plumb bob two separate maries will appear on the disk to advise the operator that an inaccurate? record was obtained. It might be noted that during the time that the connecting member il is connecting the actuating bar Bil with the record which is during the operation of the mechanism, the co-action between thepin 83 at the upper end of the resetting bar with the cam slot BI in the member V5I functions to lock the member 55 in its engaged position, whereby it is impossible for the member 5B to swing outwardly to disengage the actuating bar. Rotation ofthe actuating cam 6| continues until the pin ii'of the actuating bar 00 reaches the end-ofthe cam groove, at which time the stop shoulder lola strikes the upper end oi the looking bar li, as shown in Figure 10. This completes the cycle of operation of the device and the instrumenta removed to the surface. where the record isLread.

When it is again desiredto employ the ment a new record disk is inserted in the carrierand theisresetashasbeen described.

It is pointed vout that the mechanism is.rel a.

tively simple and provides'for a doublemariring of the record disk which assura the accuracy oi Vthe record obtained since itprovides information regarding .any movement of the plumb bob 'or instrument during operation ci said mechanism. The double reciprocation of the record carrier is accomplished during one revolution or cycle of operation of the actuating cam. The arrangement is such that a positive connection .between the actuating bar Eil and the record carrier is had when the device is in operating position and unintentional disconnectionis prevented. Also'. during resetting of the mechanism, the connect ing member and the record carrier are positively locked against any possible movement through the engagement of the member 55 with the locking pin B6. In the event that the locking bar ll should not be lifted out of the notch il before a rotation is imparted to the resetting stem to reset the timing mechanism, there Vwill be no damage to the timing mechanism because the clutch a will permit slippage between the resetting gear 38 and the remainder of the timing mechanism.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof and various changes in the carrier, 3

siip'e riinatemn, as weil asin the dei tails of the iiiusiaated construction may be made. within' the scope of the appended claims, with; out departing from the spirit of the invention; vWhat we claim and desire to secure hy Letters Patent is: 1. An inclination indicating device including a casing.' a gravity responsive marking element within the casing, a movable record carrier below the marking element and normally spaced therefrom, an actuating bar arranged to b o recipro` cated, a connecting member pivod to the record carrier and movable into a position whereby it .is connected to the actuating bar for connecting said carrier with said actuating .bar so that reciprocatlon oi said bar imparts movement to said carrier to engage the same with the element. and rotatable actuating means opera tively connected with the actuating `bar for ef' fecting reciprocation thereoiat spaced time intervals during a` single revolution of said actuatllzngvlnearis,4 whereby said carrier is engaged with the4 marking element 'at predeterinixied time inf ,i tevaia. l i

2. An 'inclination indicating deviceincluding, a casing, a gravity-.responsive marking element within the casing, aV movable-record. carrierbelow. the marking element and'normaliy spaced there.-A from, an actuating bar arranged to be reciprocated, a connecting member pivoted to therecorfgi can'ierand movable into ape'sition whereby it is' connected to the actuating bar for connecting said carrier with said actuatingbar so that reciprocation of said bar imparts movement to. said can-ier to engage the same with the marking element, rotatable actuating means operatively connected with the actuating bar foreiecting reciprocation thereof at. spaced time intervals during a single revolution of said actuating 40 means. whereby said carrier is engaged with the marking element at predetermined time intervals. and a timing mechanism for controlling the operation of the rotatable actuating means. Y

3. Aninclination indicating device including, a casing. a gravityresponsive marking element within the casing. a movable record carrier below the markingl element and normally spaced therefrom, en actuating bar arranged to be reciprocated. a connecting member pivoted to the record carrier and movable intoA a. position whereby-itis connected to the actuating bar for connecting said carrier with said actuating bar so that recipvocation oi said bar imparts movement to said 1:, carrier to engage the same with the marking 56 element. rotatable actuating means operatively connected with the actuating bar for enacting reciprocation thereof at spaced time intervals during asingle revolution of said actuating means. whereby said carrier lsrengaged with the 00 marking element at predetermined time intervals, a timing mechanism for controlling the operation oi the rotatable actuating means, and a movable resetting bar adaptedto be operatively engaged with the timing mechanism and with the rotatable actuating means for resetting both the mechanism and means after operation. thereof.

4. An inclination indicating device as set, forth in claim 3. wherein the resetting bar is operatively engaged with the pivoted connecting member and functions to disconnect said member from the actuating bar during the resetting operation, whereby danger of the record carrier being moved during the resetting operation is obviated.

5. An `inclination indicating. device including, a casing, a gravity responsive marking element flflnm? i8 within the casing, amovablerrccordscsrrler below the marking element and normally spaced therefrom. an actuating Vbar "arranged to be reciprocated, a connecting member=pivoted to the record carrier and movable into a position whereby it is connected to the actuating bar for connecting said carrier with said actuating bar so-that reciprocation of said bar imparts movement to Asaid carrier to engage the same With the marking clement, rotatable actuating 1means"operativelylIO connected with the actuating bar for effecting reciprocation thereof at spaced time intervals during a single revolution of said actuating means, whereby said carrier is engaged with the marking element at predetermined time intervals, a timing mechanism for controlling the operation of the rotatable actuating means, a movable resetting bar adapted to be operatively engaged with the timing mechanism and with the rotatable actuating means for resetting both the mechanism and means after operation thereof, means on the resetting bar engaging the pivoted connecting member for swinging said member into a position disconnecting the same from the actuating bar when the resetting bar is moved to reset the timing mechanism and rotatable actuating means, whereby said actuating bar cannot impart movement to the record carrier, and means for positively locking the pivoted connecting member and record carrier connected thereto against movement when said member is disengaged from the actuating bar.

6. An inclination indicating device including, a casing, a gravity responsive marking element within the casing, a movable record carrier below the marking element and normally spaced therefrom, an actuating bar arranged to be reciprocated, a connecting member pivoted to the record carrier and movable into connected and disconnected positions with respect to the actuating l bar, rotatable actuating means operatively connected with the actuating bar for effecting reciprocation of the bar whereby when the bar is connected to the connecting member the record carrier is reciprocated by said bar and is engaged with the marking element, spring means for driving the rotatable actuating means, and alocking member co-acting with the actuating means for controlling the release thereof to allow operation thereof.

'7. An inclination indicator as set forth in claim 6, together with a timing mechanism associated with the locking member to operate said member and thereby permit operation of the actuating means at the desired predetermined time.

8. An inclination indicator, as set forth in claim 6, together with a resetting means for returning the actuating means to its original starting position after it has been actuated.

9. An inclination indicator as set forth in claim 6, together with a movable resetting means adapted to be operatively connected with the rotatable actuating means for resetting said actuating means and returning it to its original position after it has been operated, said resetting means also co-acting with the connecting member to maintain it in connected position with the actuating bar during the operation of the actuating means and bar and for swinging said member to disconnect the same from the actuating bar during the resetting operation.

10. An inclination indicating device including, a casing, a gravity responsive marking element within the casing, a movable record carrier below the marking element and normally spaced theretrom, an actuating `bar arranged fto ibemeciprocated, a connecting member pivoted tothelrecmd carrier and movable linto .connected and fdiseonnested positions with respect Ito tthe actuating bar, `rotatable actuating means operatively 'conine'cte'd with the actuating bar ffor effectingrecpirocation of the bar whereby when thebar lacennectcdl'to the connecting member the recordfoartier lis lreciprocated by said bar and iis -engaged withthemarking element, spring `means Tor-driv- -ing the Vro'tatabie actuating means, a Hooking member co-acting `with theractuating means for controlling the release thereoftolallowfopemion thereof, a timing mechanism associated with the locking bar for controlling the operation of said locking bar, whereby the actuating means is released for operation at a predetermined desired time, and a resetting means adapted to co-act with the rotatable actuating means and with the timing mechanism for returning the actuating means to starting position after operation and for resetting the timing mechanism.

l1. An inclination indicator as set forth in claim 10, wherein the resetting means has an operative connection with the connecting member and functions to lock said member in a position connected with the actuating bar during operation of the rotatable actuating means and also acts to disconnect said member from the actuating bar during the resetting operation.

12. An inclination indicator as set forth in claim 10, wherein the resetting means has an operative connection with the connecting member and functions to lock said member in a position connected with the actuating bar during operation of the rotatable actuating means and also acts to disconnect said member from the actuation bar during the resetting operation, and means for locking the connecting member and the record carrier attached thereto against movement during the resetting operation.

13. An inclination indicating device including, a casing, a gravity responsive marking element within the casing, a movable record carrier below the marking element and normally spaced therefrom, an actuating bar arranged to be reciprocated, a connecting member pivoted to the record carrier and movable into connected and disconnected positions with respect to the actuating bar, a connecting pin on the actuating bar, a spring-actuated rotatable cam disk having a cam groove therein for receiving the connecting pin of the bar to operatively couple the parts together, said cam groove having a contour which imparts a double reciprocation to the bar and to the record carrier upon one revolution of the cam disk, a pair of radially extending shoulders on the periphery of the cam disk, and a locking bar normally disposed in the path of said shoulders to prevent rotation of the disk, and time controlled means co-acting with the locking bar to move said bar out of the path of said shoulders to allow rotation of said disk.

14. An inclination indicating device, as set forth in yclaim 13, wherein the shoulders on said cam disk are of different radial lengths whereby when the locking bar is initially moved it clears one shoulder but remains in the path of the other to allow only a partial rotation of the disk and only a single reciprocation of the record carrier, subsequent movement of the locking bar allowing it to clear the second shoulder to permit continued rotation of the disk and a second reciprocation of the record carrier.

15. As a sub-combination in an inclination indicating device, an actuating mechanism for imparting reciprocation to a record member including, an actuating bar, a connecting member pivoted to the record carrier and movable into connected and disconnected positions with respect to the actuating bar, and a spring-actuating cam disk having a cam groove therein a pin on said actuating bar engaged in said groove, said groove being of such contour as to impart a double reciprocation to the actuating bar and record carrier upon one revolution of the cam disk, and means for locking the pivoted connecting member and record carrier against movement when said mem- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Opocensky Nov. 23, 1943 Number 

